Business, international

Crossed connections: Taiwan's reforms don't go far enough

Article Abstract:

Local and foreign critics say Taiwan's telecommunications liberalization did not go far enough, leaving too much power in the hands of the current state monopoly. While the present provider will be spun off as a state-owned corporation, Chunghua Telecom, it will retain a monopoly over basic phone services and will offer cellular services nationwide, while other carriers will have to compete for each of three district service licenses. Huge demand in the latter category may not be enough to draw in global companies.

Markets call for freedom

Article Abstract:

Telecom liberalization is occurring throughout Asia. Singapore Telecom will end its monopoly seven years before the date originally set. Hongkong Telecom will have the future of its international monopoly negotiated, while South Korea will allow foreign holdings in fixed-line services. Japan is to eliminate equity limits for foreign investors in local carriers. Progress toward liberalization is also being made in Taiwan, though there are problems in India where a former telecoms minister has been arrested.

Power for the Web

Article Abstract:

China is concerned about the spread of information through the Internet and has sought to limit access to certain sites, but the government also sees the Internet as a an important tool. AsianInfo was awarded a contract in 1995 to set up China Net with a Chinese partner. The client is the Chinese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. ChinaNet will provide the structure for the Internet in China. There are an estimated 100,000 Internet users in China, with from 30% to 40% of these using China Net.